Unit 22 - Short Film Pre Production

Unit 22 - Single Camera Film

Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is the term given to describe the two minute presentation that must be given to investors to gain interest in your product. Introducing your company quickly and compellingly.

1. Identify your goal
2. Explain what you do
3. Communicate your USP
4. Engage with a question
5. Put it all together
6. Practice, practice, practice.

BBC Questions

1. What does 'BBC' stand for?
2. How many television channels do the BBC have?
3. How is the BBC funded?
4. What is your favourite BBC channel? Why?
5. What year was the BBC founded?
6. If you could improve how the BBC is run, what would you do differently?
7. How do you think the British public benefit from having the BBC?
8. Name three programmes shown on a BBC channel?
9. Do you think we should pay for the BBC?
10. How much time do you spend watching/listening to the BBC?

Cover Letter

6 Espirit House,
Keswick Drive,
London SW16 2JK
Tel: 074 531 61 565

Proper Good Productions,
33 Tooley Street,
London W1W 7TL
5th December 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to ask you if there are currently any opportunities to be a runner. Currently, I am studying a Level 3 National Diploma in Creative Media at City of Westminster College in London. In my free time, I am a freelance journalist for various print and digital platforms (such as MTV UK, Company Magazine and SHE! Magazine). I have done work experience at the Brothers and Sisters agency in Farringdon, where I helped the advertising team, and also helped edit the new Sky Go advert.

I also have my own personal website where I specialise in the music industry.

I understand you may receive a lot of letters requesting recruitment from yourselves, however as a hard working student, journalist, co-founder of my own press agency and entrepreneur, you would be getting much more than just a hard working, enthusiastic student. I am someone who can work independently and within a team,  and who is willing to work hard to get somewhere in the world.

I am an enthusiastic, effervescent person who will brighten up any work place.
It would be an honor to work for your production company.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Tiffany Calver

Mobile: 07847226546
Email: hello@tiffanycalver.co.uk

Research on the BBC

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded by Lord John Charles Walsham Reith began as just a radio broadcasting company, attaining their first broadcasting place in 1932. It was one of the only two companies in Europe to do this at the time.

In 1936m the BBC decided to expand further and delve into the world of television. However they had to stop due to the second world war taking place that year. Ten years later (1946) they started broadcasting once again, beginning with children's television. In 1967 the BBC began using colour in their programmes.

Since then we have developed over time with loads of range of media that has come from the BBC, we even have television on demand online from the BBC. 

Here are some facts on the BBC.

• The BBC do not advertise, unless for the government (for example, informing Britain on to switch from analog television to digital) or to promote shows aired on one of their channels. However, on some BBC programmes they have introduced product placement.
• Channels: BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC 3, BBC 4, CBBC, Cbeebies, BBC Parliament, BBC News, BBC Alba.
• The purpose of the BBC is to inform, entertain and educate the British public. They entertain viewers with such shows as Eastenders, The Office and The Voice. They inform the public by broadcasting news updates 24 hours a day on BBC News and three times per day on BBC 1. The BBC educate the public by featuring various documentaries, and providing revision material for students and those wanting to educate themselves further on their website.
• The BBC gets its funding by license fees which everyone with a TV has to pay. This is called a TV license. This means that the BBC has to be unbiased and show both sides to every story, as it is technically run by the people and the government. It cannot be seen to be supporting a particular side to something.
• The key areas that the BBC operates in are mainly all areas of Great Britain. However the BBC also has been broadcasted in such countries as Australia, America and the Caribbean. 
• But as they say, nobody is perfect, and the BBC have most definitely been involved in a few scandals that make people and newspapers (mainly the Daily Mail) angry. Because we pay for the company to run, certain members of the public expect it to be perfect at all times. 
• The biggest scandal to date that has involved the BBC has been the recent Jimmy Saville case. He was an infamous children's TV presenter who sexually abused hundreds of children with nothing being said or done until he was deceased.

Unit 38: Soundtrack Production For The Moving Image

You are required to review two examples of soundtracks from two existing films in a written piece of work. You must give a comprehensive list of all the different sounds that are present within both scenes inclusive of music, dialogue, foley and fx. Within your work you are expected to also describe the relative level of each sound and how the sound relates to what is happening on screen.

Casino Royale - Parkour Chase Scene (2006)


The scene begins with a crowd of locals in Madagascar roaring and chanting as they watch the cobra fight taking place. The sound begins to build, aiding viewers to feel as if they are in the moment. The foley editor toys with the dominance of the crowd and the hissing snake to create an uneasy feeling with the audience. This prepares viewers for the upcoming chase that the scene is building momentum for. The dialogue from Bond to his coworker overpower the background noise as they communicate with each other about their spotted target. As the camera focuses on the character in question, FX sounds are added to the actor as he quickly plays with his mobile phone. As the two main characters of the scene make contact for the first time, non-diagetic cinematic music begins. Instigating that the chase is about to begin. Again the dominant sound is swayed back and forth between the dialogue and the non-diagetic sound, with FX being used as the chase increases in excitement with the use of enhanced footsteps and gun shots. The soundtrack begins to build as the scene becomes more fast-paced with the orchestra introducing fitting drums to the tune. The choice fits in well with the scenery and with the ongoing action packed parkour chase viewers are witnessing. Surrounding effects such as vehicles, the leaves being shaken as the pair run through the jungle, and the dumping of sand as they run through the building site all are enhanced during the chase to make the scene more realistic. There is a sudden decrease in volume of non-diagetic sound as the scene focuses on the heavy breathing of the character being targetted by Bond. This draws viewers in and forces them to focus on the current moment; seconds later an unexpected, loud bang is heard which (if delivered to a cooperating audience) causes viewers to jump. The signature James Bond instrumental is then added into the sequence, this foley is added in each film as an almost victorious theme tune for the successful fight the special agent always wins.


xXx - Bridge Scene (2002)

The clip opens with the loud roaring of a car engine as the Senator and his mistress arrive at the venue in their sports car. The scene then focuses on the dialogue, adding faint FX sounds to add to the realism of the scene (footsteps, passing traffic, door closing). As the camera cuts straight to the back of the man the senator is talking to, the infamous 'xXx' tattoo is shown, and at that very moment, upbeat rock music begins to take over the scene. This helps the audience to comprehend the upcoming events, and to recognise Vin Diesel as the significant character of this clip. The non-diagetic soundtrack then overpowers the dialogue as the script smoothly fades into the background, the foley process is then used as the car speeds off into the distance, enhancing the noises of the engine to help speed up the pace of the scene. The sports car screeches as it spins along to the soundtrack, with FX being added for the wind blowing between the pillars as the car zooms off into the distance. This effect makes the scene more realistic, and enhances the adrenaline feeling of the chase. The music continues to build as Vin Diesel speeds through the twists and turns of the road ahead, and police sirens are then heard slowly creeping into the scene. A police officers dialogue is then edited into the scene later, as he asks Vin Diesel to pull over the car. The non-diagetic soundtrack then comes to a halt and the scene focuses on the dialogue the main character has to say, with his voice being the only clear noise the audience can focus on. The character explains his reasoning behind taking 'Dick's' car and once he leaves the audience with a cliffhanging finishing line, trumpets begin playing. This builds the momentum for the next scene, preparing viewers for something exciting to happen. The volume of the soundtrack increases more as the car speeds over a ramp and into the air. All sound is then drastically taken away, with the clip focusing on the wind as the car flies through the air and towards the ocean. An eagles siren is then edited into the clip, perhaps linking in with the eagle wing tattoo the main character displays on his arm. Vin Diesel then leaps away from the falling vehicle and pulls open his parachute to the sound of the previous rock soundtrack heard prior to the recent events that took place.